"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Quote:Rush Limbaugh is apologizing to Georgetown law student and activist Sandra Fluke after calling her a "slut" on air, a day after President Obama entered the fray. In his apology, Limbaugh said that he did not believe "it is a topic that should reach a presidential level."

"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke," Limbaugh said.

"I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke." Really? You called her a slut and a prostitute, and demanded that she post sex videos online, and questioned if her parents should be proud of her, but you didn't intend any of that to be a "personal attack"? Seriously? That's about as personal as you can get.

It occurs to me that this is pretty much SOP for the right at this point, to lodge a personal attack against someone, then claim they're overreacting by getting upset, and that they shouldn't take it personally.

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservatives." - John Stuart Mill

Am I wrong to be reminded of Jayne in the airlock: "make something up?" Am I wrong to think this is evidence that Rush actually has a gorram soul? I mean there are a million ways a slimy ideologue can pretend to apologize, make all the appropriate noises and not apologize one bit.

This apology from Rush, is the other kind. It's an actual apology.

However he was coerced, however he rationalizes it, however he sells his soul with his next utterance, today he apologized to a young woman for calling her a disgusting name.

Well blow me down.

Among the finest 3 and a half minutes in television history:

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Quote:However he was coerced, however he rationalizes it...

Apparently the rush of sponsors running away from his show and Clear Channel were enough to coerce him. Several had pulled all advertising, and at least one of his few remaining sponsors had said that they were going to have a face-to-face meeting with him on Monday to see what their future would be.

And Rush blinked.

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservatives." - John Stuart Mill

"In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke," he said.

Still, Limbaugh said it is "absolutely absurd" to be discussing "personal sexual recreational activities" before lawmakers during
serious political times.

"I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility
and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow?" he said. "In my monologue, I
posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should
reach a presidential level."

Yanno, from a Viagra-popping, hillbilly heroin-dropping sex tourist, this guy had some nerve to pull the moral-superiority card!!

Customs Officials Hold Rush Limbaugh In Viagra Flap

Okay,let me get a little personal AND a lot angry. My dd had very heavy periods. One morning, she woke up in a pool of blood... she was hemorrhaging. She IS on "the pill", not because she's banging her multiple BFs every night, but to control bleeding. My god, I hope Rush bleeds to death bc of some rectal hemorrhage.

WAAAY too fucking little too fucking late. I hope his sponsors desert him as if he had genital crabs.

Have all the hope and faith in humanity you like, but it's what happens next that will interest me.

Not next week. Not next month.

But over time, it will become clear if the man has repented, or whether he simply said what was required of him.

I think forgiveness is a wonderful thing, but I've learned to be wary of how some people use forgiveness as a commodity. Such people soon find it spent. Then we have to decide whether to double down or cut our losses.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

Note to self: Mr. Raptor believes that women who want to control their reproductive processes are sluts.

Never forget what this man is. You keep forgiving him his trespasses and speak to him as though he is a reasonable human being. You keep forgetting the things he's advocated. If you respond to this man again, you are being foolish.

Today, scientists sound the alarm on other environmental dangers. Vested interests still hire their own scientists to confuse the issue. But in the end, nature will not be fooled. Neil deGrasse Tyson

I don't intend to sound heartless and like I'm ignoring all the pain he's caused merely for personal gain - but given all the sponsors that seem to be running away - I wonder how this will all play out.

Limpball caters to a particular audience, an audience that is FAR more extreme than he is. (What? Do you think he really believes his crap?) His job - how he makes his money - is to deliver an audience to the commercials. To the extent he generates a loyal audience, his paycheck goes up. To the extent he creates controversy (no such thing as bad press!) his paycheck goes up. To the extent he alienates people, his paycheck goes down.

To maximize his paycheck, he must cater to his target audience and generate increasing amounts of controversy as previous levels become SOP and stale. Without of course going over the line and losing large amounts of - if not support - at least being ignored by the vast numbers of people.

If he withdraws he looks weak to his sheep, if he presses forward he reminds people all over again why exactly it is they want to grind him down.

I wonder if this is the middle ground he needs to take between a rock and a hard place, or if it will spark an insurmountable backlash.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Moments ago, Carbonite – a company providing backup software for computers – announced that it will no longer advertise on Rush Limbaugh’s show. CEO David Friend made clear in a Facebook statement that, despite Limbaugh’s “apology” issued tonight, the company was still pulling its ads because it wants to “contribute to a more civilized public discourse”:

No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.

Indeed, evidencing the point made by Friend, Limbaugh’s “apology” is riddled with offensive statements, comparing contraception to “sneakers” and implying that birth control is only a subsidy for personal sexual activity.

So at least for some of his advertisers, the apology didn't wash.

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservatives." - John Stuart Mill

Quote:"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit? In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

Hello,

Surely you aren't suggesting he used the apology simply as a platform for restating his agenda?

Quote: THESE WORDS ARE NOT AN APOLOGY, BUT RATHER SEEK TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF

For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week.
I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit? In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.

Quote: THESE WORDS ARE THE APOLOGY

In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke. My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

Note to self: Mr. Raptor believes that women who want to control their reproductive processes are sluts.

Never forget what this man is. You keep forgiving him his trespasses and speak to him as though he is a reasonable human being. You keep forgetting the things he's advocated. If you respond to this man again, you are being foolish.

Never forget what this man is. You keep forgiving him his trespasses and speak to him as though he is a reasonable human being. You keep forgetting the things he's advocated. If you respond to this man again, you are being foolish.

Quote:Originally posted by SignyM:
Yanno, from a Viagra-popping, hillbilly heroin-dropping sex tourist, this guy had some nerve to pull the moral-superiority card!!

Customs Officials Hold Rush Limbaugh In Viagra Flap

Okay,let me get a little personal AND a lot angry. My dd had very heavy periods. One morning, she woke up in a pool of blood... she was hemorrhaging. She IS on "the pill", not because she's banging her multiple BFs every night, but to control bleeding. My god, I hope Rush bleeds to death bc of some rectal hemorrhage.

WAAAY too fucking little too fucking late. I hope his sponsors desert him as if he had genital crabs.

And really, if she was banging her multiple bf's, wouldn't it be better that she was not likely to get pregnant.

I find the commentry from the US makes it seem to have very puritanical views regarding sex. I mean, really... most adults have sex, don't they? Having sex for recreational purposes is what people do....all the time. And I can't see there is anything wrong with that. In fact, people should have more protected sex. It's good for your wellbeing, allegedly ;)

Oh and sex - I'm all for more protected sex, well hell, all for more SEX, but safer is great yes.
Cause yanno I think a lotta these people wouldn't be so uptight if they got laid once in a while.

Although, feasting one the howling, anguished tears of a healthcare provider who tried to burn you, after you mow them down and put the boot in with their very own regs - that's ALMOST as good, especially for me! (checked my office mail on the first round and in there was their whining, mealy-mouthed legalese apology and full indemnity along with a thank you note from the particularly vicious arbitration firm I use.)
Almost. As. Good. As. SEX.
*maniacal cackle*

Never forget what this man is. You keep forgiving him his trespasses and speak to him as though he is a reasonable human being. You keep forgetting the things he's advocated. If you respond to this man again, you are being foolish.

A coerced apology is no apology.
Ironic: thank goodness for greed - if the advertisers weren't trying to save their reps they wouldn't have taken action. Talk about paying for your 1st amendment rights!

Quote:Originally posted by pizmobeach:
A coerced apology is no apology.
Ironic: thank goodness for greed - if the advertisers weren't trying to save their reps they wouldn't have taken action. Talk about paying for your 1st amendment rights!

The important thing to remember is that Rush is a conservative therefore everything he says must be interpreted in the worst possible way, his motives must be the worst possible motives, nothing he says can make up for it, and free speech simply does not apply.

I note for the record that the girl's testimony was absurd on its face. Next week she's testifying at a hearing calling for govt subsidies for her cable bill, a shoe grant, and for a pilot program to give college students 'beer stamps'.

Quote:Originally posted by Hero:
The important thing to remember is that Rush is a conservative therefore everything he says must be interpreted in the worst possible way, his motives must be the worst possible motives, nothing he says can make up for it, and free speech simply does not apply.

He doesn't need us! He interprets his own viewpoints in the worst possible way. How much different would this have gone if he had said the first time without the personal attack:

""I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times [ok, when aren't they? But I digress...], we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line?" he said in his statement."

Although, using contraception seems like the very definition of the, "personal responsibility and accountability" he's asking about. Come to think of it, where's his personal accountability? Maybe it was just forced on him?

I've signed one- before the apology- to one of his sponsors who specializes in women's products. (Seriously, guys? You expect me to buy products after listening to/ watching him???) I intend to sign as many as I can find, making a point of saying that his apology is not enough.

Rush Limbaugh apologized on Saturday for calling a Georgetown Law student a slut for testifying about contraception and starting a firestorm of outrage. Kirsten Powers says the liberals who led the charge need to start holding their own side accountable.

Did you know there is a war on women?

Yes, it’s true. Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher, Matt Taibbi, and Ed Schultz have been waging it for years with their misogynist outbursts. There have been boycotts by people on the left who are outraged that these guys still have jobs. Oh, wait. Sorry, that never happened.

Boycotts are reserved for people on the right like Rush Limbaugh, who finally apologized Saturday for calling a 30-year-old Georgetown Law student, Sandra Fluke, a “slut” after she testified before congress about contraception. Limbaugh’s apology was likely extracted to stop the departure of any more advertisers, who were rightly under pressure from liberal groups outraged by the comments.

Let it be shouted from the rooftops that Rush Limbaugh should not have called Ms. Fluke a slut or, as he added later, a “prostitute” who should post her sex tapes.

It’s unlikely that his apology will assuage the people on a warpath for his scalp, and after all, why should it? He spent days attacking a woman as a slut and prostitute and refused to relent. Now because he doesn’t want to lose advertisers, he apologizes. What’s in order is something more like groveling—and of course a phone call to Ms. Fluke—if you ask me.

But if Limbaugh’s actions demand a boycott—and they do—then what about the army of swine on the left?

During the 2008 election Ed Schultz said on his radio show that Sarah Palin set off a “bimbo alert.” He called Laura Ingraham a “right-wing slut.” (He later apologized.) He once even took to his blog to call yours truly a “bimbo” for the offense of quoting him accurately in a New York Post column.

Keith Olbermann has said that conservative commentator S.E. Cupp should have been aborted by her parents, apparently because he finds her having opinions offensive. He called Michelle Malkin a “mashed-up bag of meat with lipstick.” He found it newsworthy to discuss Carrie Prejean’s breasts on his MSNBC show. His solution for dealing with Hillary Clinton, who he thought should drop out of the presidential race, was to find “somebody who can take her into a room and only he comes out.”

Olbermann now works for über-leftist and former Democratic vice president Al Gore at Current TV.

The grand pooh-bah of media misogyny is without a doubt Bill Maher.

Left-wing darling Matt Taibbi wrote on his blog in 2009, “When I read [Malkin’s] stuff, I imagine her narrating her text, book-on-tape style, with a big, hairy set of balls in her mouth.” In a Rolling Stone article about Secretary of State Clinton, he referred to her “flabby arms.” When feminist writer Erica Jong criticized him for it, he responded by referring to Jong as an “800-year old sex novelist.” (Jong is almost 70, which apparently makes her an irrelevant human being.) In Taibbi’s profile of Congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann he labeled her “batshit crazy.” (Oh, those “crazy” women with their hormones and all.)

Chris Matthews’s sickening misogyny was made famous in 2008, when he obsessively tore down Hillary Clinton for standing between Barack Obama and the presidency, something that Matthews could not abide. Over the years he has referred to the former first lady, senator and presidential candidate and current secretary of state as a “she-devil,” “Nurse Ratched,” and “Madame Defarge.” Matthews has also called Clinton “witchy,” “anti-male,” and “uppity” and once claimed she won her Senate seat only because her “husband messed around.” He asked a guest if “being surrounded by women” makes “a case for commander in chief—or does it make a case against it?” At some point Matthews was shamed into sort of half apologizing to Clinton, but then just picked up again with his sexist ramblings.

Matthews has wondered aloud whether Sarah Palin is even “capable of thinking” and has called Bachmann a “balloon head” and said she was “lucky we still don’t have literacy tests out there.” Democratic strategist Jehmu Greene, who is the former president of the Women’s Media Center, told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly in 2011 that Matthews “is a bully, and his favorite target is women.” So why does he still have a show? What if his favorite target was Jews? Or African-Americans?

But the grand pooh-bah of media misogyny is without a doubt Bill Maher—who also happens to be a favorite of liberals—who has given $1 million to President Obama’s super PAC. Maher has called Palin a “dumb twat” and dropped the C-word in describing the former Alaska governor. He called Palin and Congresswoman Bachmann “boobs” and “two bimbos.” He said of the former vice-presidential candidate, “She is not a mean girl. She is a crazy girl with mean ideas.” He recently made a joke about Rick Santorum’s wife using a vibrator. Imagine now the same joke during the 2008 primary with Michelle Obama’s name in it, and tell me that he would still have a job. Maher said of a woman who was harassed while breast-feeding at an Applebee’s, “Don't show me your tits!” as though a woman feeding her child is trying to flash Maher. (Here’s a way to solve his problem: don’t stare at a strangers’ breasts). Then, his coup de grâce: “And by the way, there is a place where breasts and food do go together. It’s called Hooters!”

Liberals—you know, the people who say they “fight for women”—comprise Maher’s audience, and a parade of high-profile liberals make up his guest list. Yet have any of them confronted him? Nope. That was left to Ann Coulter, who actually called Maher a misogynist to his face, an opportunity that feminist icon Gloria Steinem failed to take when she appeared on his show in 2011.

This is not to suggest that liberals—or feminists—never complain about misogyny. Many feminist blogs now document attacks on women on the left and the right, including Jezebel, Shakesville, and the Women’s Media Center (which was cofounded by Steinem). But when it comes to high-profile campaigns to hold these men accountable—such as that waged against Limbaugh—the real fury seems reserved only for conservatives, while the men on the left get a wink and a nod as long as they are carrying water for the liberal cause.

After all, if Limbaugh’s outburst is part of the “war on women,” then what is the routine misogyny of liberal media men?

It’s time for some equal-opportunity accountability. Without it, the fight against media misogyny will continue to be perceived as a proxy war for the Democratic Party, not a fight for fair treatment of women in the public square.

But by all means, continue to live in your own, sheltered, secluded little bubble of reality, Sig. You're safe, you're secure, and you need not worry about the big, bad, REAL world going on around you. Your media will tell you all you need to know, and don't you dare fret about anything else.

" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

Right on, Pizmo. Of COURSE he hasn't repented and it's a non-apology apology...tho' he DID have the balls to actually say the words "I sincerely apologize". And I'm firmly convinced it's the advertisers pulling out that prompted this...last I saw, he was down to two small, no-name advertisers and one other intending to "talk to him" about it Monday. The power of consumerism is mighty!

Quote:Limbaugh was also facing an intense backlash from both advertisers and many within the conservative movement over his comments. Sleep Train Mattress Centers, Sleep Number, and Quicken Loans all pulled their ads from Limbaugh's popular radio program Friday.

Power of the dollar, that's what I put it down to. Don't recall Rushbo apologizing, ever, to anyone, and he's said equally inflammatory things before, so something unusual got to him. Doesn't mean much...anyone want to bet he'll quickly be ranting about how he was pressured into it, perhaps in some oblique way that lets the right know he didn't really mean it, he was forced by some "liberal conspiracy" or something?

This has been a totally stupid move on the part of the GOP. When you look at the series of events leading up to this, the listen to the Repubs saying it's all a "distraction", you've GOT to laugh.

Quote: A series of incendiary events has thrust the issue of contraception to the forefront of the national discussion in the past few weeks. There was an outcry after Obama introduced the rule, which requires most religiously affiliated employers to cover birth control for their employees.

Soon after, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation's largest breast cancer charity, cut off funds to Planned Parenthood, which provides affordable cancer screenings and contraception to millions of low-income women, because some of its locations also perform abortions. The ensuing controversy sparked a massive national discussion about the politicization of women's health and coaxed GOP politicians, such as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, into taking sides.

Just as the Komen controversy died down, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced an amendment that would have allowed insurers to opt out of covering any form of health care to which they morally objected. This, in itself, was low hanging fruit for the Democrats.

But when House Republicans convened an all-male panel to discuss contraception, and

When Foster Friess, a top financial backer of former Sen. Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, said that pregnancies could be prevented by "gals" putting Bayer Asprin "between their knees," campaign consultants had the type of political imagery that they could only dream of.

Hammering the problematic imagery home even further, Bishop William Lori, the first witness on the House Oversight Committee's all-male panel on religious liberty, spent a full ten minutes comparing birth control to a ham sandwich. "The government recognized that it is absurd for someone to come into a kosher deli and demand a ham sandwich," Lori said of Obama's revised birth control rule, "that it is downright surreal to apply this coercive power when the customer can get the same sandwich cheaply, or even free, just a few doors down.

Women's groups say they are not going to let that kind of rhetoric slide. "It's a shame and it's appalling and it makes everybody really mad, but it's lucky we have a place to put all that energy," said McIntosh. "We have the luxury of saying, 'Yes, this is terrible, but look at all these great alternatives.' The women in office are on the front lines in this fight. Women like [Sen.] Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and [Sen.] Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) are standing up to the right, and everybody wants to send them more reinforcements." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/birth-control-republicans-democrats_n_1289166.html

Add Rush's stupidity, and I gotta ask: WHO IS CREATING THE DISTRACTION...not to mention feeding it?? What do they expect the result to be, exactly?

Quote:Although Jess McIntosh, communications director for EMILY's List, did not reveal the amount of money the group has raised in the past two weeks, she said it's clear that the latest drive for money and supporters has been a huge success.
.....
State Democratic parties and individual campaigns have also been able to use the federal birth control controversy to drum up local support. The Virginia Democratic Party, for instance, claims to have raised an unusually high amount of money and saw a "spike in interaction" in the two days following Issa's birth control hearing.

"People kind of came to life about this issue. Across the board, we have seen a considerable uptick in the financial response our people have had to what's going on," said Brian Coy, a spokesperson for the Virginia Democrats. "We've raised thousands of dollars over the last 48 hours over this, which is absolutely not normal, and we've seen a huge uptick in Facebook and Twitter activity."

Maggie Hassan, a Democrat running for governor of New Hampshire, said her campaign has also seen a considerable increase in donations and support since birth control rose to the forefront of the national discussion.

"All the men talking about birth control really is, I think, generating this kind of disbelief, and it's really firing people up," she told HuffPost. "We're beginning to see a lot of discussion about it on our Facebook pages, I get asked about it at house parties, and it's definitely motivating people to give money. Most of us, certainly in my generation -- we all thought this was settled." same

They blew it majorly...and I'm not sure why. Surely they don't believe their base is big enough to overcome this in the election? Even if they switch to more moderate stances in the General, this is fodder for the Dem's ads for months to come.

Quote:Republican campaigns have been much more reluctant to discuss their fundraising efforts or success around the birth control issue. The National Republican Senatorial Committee circulated only one petition about the birth control rule, but left the words "birth control," "contraception," and "women's health" entirely out of it, focusing instead on the issue of religious freedom. The petition had only received 15,000 signatures by Monday afternoon -- a fraction of the DCCC's 250,000.

When asked about fundraising efforts, a staffer at the NRSC said only that it's hard to see how the DSCC's "gender war spin" can be taken seriously when two female GOP Senate candidates, Sarah Steelman in Missouri and Heather Wilson in New Mexico, oppose Obama's birth control rule.

Susan B. Anthony List, the anti-abortion alternative to EMILY's List, said it has been too busy educating people about the contraception mandate to fundraise around it.

"We have not fundraised off of it yet, but we do plan to use it in races where we think it will make a difference," said SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser. "I think it will work in our direction. It is an underestimation of women that they are going see this issue as being about creating barriers to contraception and abortifacients -- that's not what this is. It's about something so much more fundamental: the right of conscience and religious liberty for all people, including women."

The Republican National Committee did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this article. same

Of course they didn't. Is what she said what they really BELIEVE?! Can they really be that deaf, dumb and blind?

Any ONE of the above things would have been a minor flurry and soon forgotten. But by doubling down, over and over and OVER, they've painted themselves into a very uncomfortable corner. I would wonder "are they really that archaic?" about people like Friese, but I know they are, and they're not the people I want in government, with power to act on their beliefs! (I don't know if it's only a California thing, but does anyone else have the "Foster's Freeze" fast-food franchise? It immediately comes to mind and my first thought on hearing his name was "did he start Foster's Freeze or something??" Fantastic soft-serve, by the way, I worked in one as a teenager.)

Kiki nailed it perfectly, and that's what I believe resulted in his apology, nothing more. And one only has to read the text of the apology to see it for what it really is. He's just using it as an excuse to make more stupid statements, as well as a supposed sop to his advertisers. At least one isn't buying it:

Quote:Carbonite – a company providing backup software for computers – announced that it will no longer advertise on Rush Limbaugh’s show. CEO David Friend made clear in a Facebook statement that, despite Limbaugh’s “apology” issued tonight, the company was still pulling its ads because it wants to “contribute to a more civilized public discourse”:

Quote: No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.

Oh, dear, Magons:

Quote: I find the commentry from the US makes it seem to have very puritanical views regarding sex.

Darlin', you didn't KNOW that?!? I thought the whole world did! Those who first immigrated to America were Puritans, and the strain has never left us...at least officially. Just like now, many of them were publicly very puritanical, but quietly horny as hell. You can see it in our advertising, which is FILLED with beautiful, scantily-clad women in sexy poses. It's obvious in all the censorship on TV (and movies), where movies are rated for sexual content far more than violence. TV "fuzzes out" any nudity, and it's oh, so exciting and salacious when they even put up PARTIAL nudity....even tho' many, many of our TV shows HINT at sex every episode. We're a long way from outgrowing our puritanical roots, and this is in some ways a prime example of it.

As for Alt.Univ., this is nothing more than one more perfect opportunity to spit his idiocy, so I see no reason to egg him on. Tho' I note that even the article he posted says

Quote: Let it be shouted from the rooftops that Rush Limbaugh should not have called Ms. Fluke a slut or, as he added later, a “prostitute” who should post her sex tapes.

It’s unlikely that his apology will assuage the people on a warpath for his scalp, and after all, why should it? He spent days attacking a woman as a slut and prostitute and refused to relent. Now because he doesn’t want to lose advertisers, he apologizes. What’s in order is something more like groveling—and of course a phone call to Ms. Fluke—if you ask me.

But if Limbaugh’s actions demand a boycott

It then goes on to list all the egregious and awful things said by people on the left, which is mere tit for tat. One could put together an equal--and worse--list of thngs said by the right about women in the public eye, but I see no reason to bother. When THOSE happen, the right screams just as loudly as the left is screaming now; when the right says it, there is no furor from those on the right to condemn it, why should it be any different on the left? It's politics...duh! I would say "at least in this case Santorum and Romney spoke up against Limbaugh--something nobody has done before and not apologized to him", but they're running for office, so that explains that.

The difference is the ACTIONS on the right havebeen to chip away at women's rights and freedoms, not what their pundits, etc., SAY. Limbaugh reflected the attitude those actions exemplify.

The situation speaks quite clearly for itself; the right CREATED this distraction (probably in large part because they can't go after Obama on the economy or international relations, so hey ho, back to social issues!), and then doubled down on it again and again. It may not be stupidity (tho' I can't see how), but it's sure not worked in their interests!

The situation speaks quite clearly for itself; the right CREATED this distraction (probably in large part because they can't go after Obama on the economy or international relations, so hey ho, back to social issues!), and then doubled down on it again and again. It may not be stupidity (tho' I can't see how), but it's sure not worked in their interests!

And there you have it folks, the lie of the day.

" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

There is a differences between what others did and what Limbaugh did. The comments your article mentioned were aimed at political figures. Just as I think Obama doesn't deserve as special respect because he is "the President", and the image of Mohammed doesn't deserve kid-glove handling because some "might" be offended, political figures (and other public figures) are subject to a broader range of comment. You get in the ring, you should expect to have a few punches thrown your way. Ms. Fluke is a private citizen, and calling her a "slut" was one word out of a whole tirade... an attack which she didn't deserve and should never have been aimed at her. Anita Hill is another example of a private citizen being ripped to shreds by right-wing misogynists for testifying.

So, I'm going to look for a few more petitions to sign. I might have missed some!

I WILL give Limbaugh two points, however. He did say "I sincerely apologize" and he DIDN'T say (that I saw) "to any I MAY HAVE offended". That's the usual non-apology apology from public figures caught out in something for which they should apologize, so I give him honest points for that, whatever his motivation.

Sig. How is Michelle Malkin or Ann Coulter any more a political figure than women's ( or is it womyn ?) rights activist Ms Fluke ?

Edit:
I didn't know Mr Limbaugh had even posted any apology, until I saw this thread, Sunday morning. Going back to Anthony's thread, on how 'Vile' Rush was, I asked him if he actually READ the book he claims he bought by Rush. Because I have. Well, at least one of them, but that was a long time ago. His first book, as I recall. Anyway, Rush has repeatedly explained his motives and his tactics, the 'WHY' he does what he does.

Here was my post on Friday...

Quote: And for good sakes, people. Rush was KIDDING!

It's called BEING ABSURD TO DEMONSTRATE ABSURDITY.

Was it crass, rude and in poor taste ?

Yeah, probably. I'll admit that.

His POINT, as offensively made as it was, is simple.

If you're going to expect others to PAY for you to have 'safe sex', then those paying the freight are due something in return.

Don't agree with that ? FINE! Don't ask others to pay for what should be YOUR OWN DAMN RESPONSIBILITY!

And here is what Mr Limbaugh said, in his apology.

It starts...

" March 03, 2012

For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity...

and then goes on from there.

He didn't LITERALLY MEAN that Ms Fluke should post porno videos of her having sex, as compensation for free birth control. It was a JOKE.

Poor taste ? Yep. Shouldn't have been said ? Yep. But those who actually KNOW Rush from his work, and understand the context of what he's saying, it's not nearly as bad as folks are making it out to be. Those with an agenda, those who hate Rush, simply because he's breathing in air, won't listen, no matter what. He stands against what they are fighting for, and because of that, they'll never give him the pass that they'll give, HAVE given, a legion of men on the Left who have said MUCH worse about women.

Edit edit : Oh,and Sig ? Anita Hill LIED. She attempted to destroy the reputation of a black man. But because he's a conservative, it's ok with you, huh? I mean, it almost worked once, no shocker that the Left would try it again, with Herman Cain.

Utterly despicable.

" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

Never forget what this man is. You keep forgiving him his trespasses and speak to him as though he is a reasonable human being. You keep forgetting the things he's advocated. If you respond to this man again, you are being foolish.

But the airwaves don't belong to the advertisers, or the broadcasters, who somehow between them get to determine what is broadcast. You can see how such a system could be used to turn people into working/ buying drones only fit to benefit corporations. The airwaves belong to us, the people, in our broader definition of society. And broadcasters are obligated, under the Constitution, to uphold community standards for obscenity.

I think it's time to get in the game and assert what we, as a society, wish.

The situation speaks quite clearly for itself; the right CREATED this distraction (probably in large part because they can't go after Obama on the economy or international relations, so hey ho, back to social issues!), and then doubled down on it again and again. It may not be stupidity (tho' I can't see how), but it's sure not worked in their interests!

And there you have it folks, the lie of the day.

" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

Your calling something the lie of the day virtualy guarantees it's veracity.

File a complaint with the FCC for Rush Limbaugh violating decency standards by slander and soliciting pornographic materials over the airways.

Hello,

I believe in complaining about this man's vile words because they were vile. I believe in complaining to the advertisers for supporting such a message.

This is public opinion well expressed to people who have a business interest in the public's opinion.

I don't like the multiple FCC petitions that say essentially, "I support Free Speech, but..."

I support Free Speech. I don't want a government institution used to suppress it. Once you teach that dog to hunt your enemies, it's only a matter of time before he cuts his teeth on your bones.

I like a lot of your ideas Anthony, but I believe kiki has the best angle on this particular event:

"... the airwaves don't belong to the advertisers, or the broadcasters, who somehow between them get to determine what is broadcast. You can see how such a system could be used to turn people into working/ buying drones only fit to benefit corporations. The airwaves belong to us, the people, in our broader definition of society. And broadcasters are obligated, under the Constitution, to uphold community standards for obscenity.

I think it's time to get in the game and assert what we, as a society, wish."

There are instances where even the most tedious gov agencies earn their keep, this I think is one.

Your calling something the lie of the day virtualy guarantees it's veracity.

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

Where was the issue of contraception being discussed, on a national level, BEFORE Stephenopoulus brought up THIS question to Mitt Romney ...

Quote: During a Republican presidential debate in January, moderator George Stephanopoulos peppered Mitt Romney with questions about contraception that seemed totally out of the blue at the time. But in the wake of President Barack Obama’s move to mandate health insurance companies’ coverage of contraception, the motivation for the ABC newsman’s grilling of Romney has become clear, according to political pundit Dick Morris: It’s part of a plan to convince voters that Republicans will ban contraception.

It was a ridiculous, out of left field ( literally ) question which wasn't on anyone's radar, yet an unbelievable amount of time in the January debate was wasted on forcing Mitt to make a declarative statement on a innocuous , and quite frankly bizarre question.

Of course, it wasn't SO bizarre, once Obama soon follow up with his personal mandate to force religious institutions to give away free contraception. Which then became an issue of forcing ( insert laugh track ) INSURANCE companies to offer free contraception. Which opened the door for Ms Peolosi to phony up her 'protest' hearing , which is what gave us Ms Fluke.

Now, go back to your t.v. dinners and online petitions.

" I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

Quote:Originally posted by SignyM:
There is a differences between what others did and what Limbaugh did. The comments your article mentioned were aimed at political figures. Just as I think Obama doesn't deserve as special respect because he is "the President", and the image of Mohammed doesn't deserve kid-glove handling because some "might" be offended, political figures (and other public figures) are subject to a broader range of comment. You get in the ring, you should expect to have a few punches thrown your way. Ms. Fluke is a private citizen, and calling her a "slut" was one word out of a whole tirade... an attack which she didn't deserve and should never have been aimed at her. Anita Hill is another example of a private citizen being ripped to shreds by right-wing misogynists for testifying.

So, I'm going to look for a few more petitions to sign. I might have missed some!

You know my preference is that no one is the subject of abusive, sexist or racist language in political commentary. What about talking about policies, or is that just old fashioned these days?

Quote MagonsDaughter: "You know my preference is that no one is the subject of abusive, sexist or racist language in
political commentary. What about talking about policies, or is that just old fashioned these days?"

Personal responsibility is the Truth.
Self determination triumphs over reaction.

I would prefer that people stick to issues and not stoop to personal attacks. When you have to start attacking someone personally to make your point, it seems to me that the audience should realize that the attacker has just lost. But it doesn't work that way here very much anymore.

Quote:Originally posted by SignyM:
I would prefer that people stick to issues and not stoop to personal attacks. When you have to start attacking someone personally to make your point, it seems to me that the audience should realize that the attacker has just lost. But it doesn't work that way here very much anymore.

Here either, if you saw my thread on Australian politics and how our female PM and other parliamentarians have been treated.

However, it's systemically abusive behaviour and which needs to be called. There is no use harping on to children about how bullying behaviour and put downs are not acceptable when the leaders of countries, as well as well paid political commentators model those very behaviours. And please, don't start me on reality TV. Aaaarggghhhh.

If children learn that such behaviour has payoffs, financially, politically and whatever the hell people get on tv when they are famous for 15 seconds, then no amount of money spent on anti bullying campaigns will work.

This is something we can do something about. We can call it and criticize it whenever we see it.

Well said, Magons. I don't like to see or hear abusive stuff from anyone; sadly, it seems to be where our politics have gone--and not just recently; if you look to history, you'll find it was the case even waaaay back a century or more ago. It's just gotten SO ugly after a time of fairly civil discourse, that we're aware of it.

I had to giggle at

Quote: How is Michelle Malkin or Ann Coulter any more a political figure than women's ( or is it womyn ?) rights activist Ms Fluke ?

He's joking, right? Malkin, and Coulter in PARTICULAR, put themselves "out there" just as often as humanly possible...dunno if Malkin has, but Coulter's written vile BOOKS, for heaven's sake. They are both pundits in their ways, have been around a long time, and have made equally disgusting statements about politicians! This college student stood up for something she felt was important...once...and for that she got called a slut and prostitute?! Wow...he really can reach, can't he!

Today, scientists sound the alarm on other environmental dangers. Vested interests still hire their own scientists to confuse the issue. But in the end, nature will not be fooled. Neil deGrasse Tyson

I don't care.

I ridicule little Rappy and others b/c they're idiots, a fact I have deduced from witnessing their personal idiocy many times. I don't make fun of 'men', 'slow' learners, of 'whites', or other categories. I don't say we should kill him, deport him, legislate against him or anything else. I make fun of HIM b/c frankly, it's the only use I find for him.

Quote:When you have to start attacking someone personally to make your point, it seems to me that the audience should realize that the attacker has just lost. But it doesn't work that way here very much anymore.

Yes. One of the things we haven't discussed is how the AUDIENCES are responding to the various insults and derrogatory statements by the current slate of candidates...almost before they're out of their mouths!

Bad as Limbaugh and his ilk are, to me it's even worse that what he said and things like Santorum calling Obama a "snob" for wanting everyone to be able to go to college are greeted with wild applause, whoops and laughter by their audiences. Gives me the heebie-jeebies hearng that, it does. They applaud things anyone should KNOW are flat-out lies, or that even the idea of them is patently wrong, and they do it with enthusiasm...

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